INFLUENCING DECISION-MAKERS AND LEGISLATION

The state of the water environment

Globally, freshwater species have declined by 76% since 1970. Here at home, less than a fifth of rivers in England are at good or better ecological status. Taking too much water for use in homes and businesses, pollution from farms and sewage, and human modification are the main issues.

The evidence is clear - there is a lot of work to do. However, NGOs, businesses, communities, government and the water industry have also already achieved a lot. Since the introduction of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in 2000, we have had a legal framework for the protection and promotion of sustainable water management of surface waters and ground waters to work with, which has been a core focus for many. It has led to the creation of the Catchment Based Approach to deliver effective river basin planning and real improvements for the water environment. This has helped to develop, arguably, one of the strongest evidence bases in the world, which means we can target interventions more effectively for maximum impact.

Influencing the rules of the game

One of WaterLIFE's key objectives was to ensure the right policies, rules and regulations were in place to enable rivers to get to that required good status.

Obstacles encountered to hinder this progress to Good Ecological Status included:

Slow pace of change

Lack of ambition in river planning

Over-reliance on voluntary measures to tackle issues such as pollution and unsustainable management

Lack of enforceable regulation

Lack of inclusion and empowerment of all stakeholders in the decision-making process, such as river basin management plans.

WaterLIFE's approach was to engage with decision-makers – politicians, government agencies, water companies and business – to influence the rules and regulations, and to showcase what could be done on the ground.

Tools to engage WITH DECISION-MAKERS

DECLARATION

The WaterLIFE Declaration reflects what we have learnt in three guiding principles we believe are essential to create healthy rivers and ensure fair and sustainable water use.

GATHER EVIDENCE

Find out how to request information from public authorities, like the Environment Agency.

COLLABORATION

The Catchment Based Approach provides the necessary platform to engage with a wide range of decision makers – including local authorities, businesses and other NGOs.

WATER MATTERS

Rivers, lakes, wetlands and ponds are a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure and they require investment so that their benefits can be realised and their future protected. In conjunction with the Blueprint for Water, we produced a report setting out a vision where we: use water wisely; stop pollution in our waters; manage floods for people and wildlife; create, protect and restore places for wildlife; and join up water management.

THE WATERLIFE DECLARATION

Throughout WaterLIFE, we learnt what conditions are needed to achieve our vision of healthy rivers for people and nature. The WaterLIFE Declaration set out three principles to deliver these conditions. By the end of the project, it was signed by over 100 businesses, government agencies, national NGOs, rivers trusts and catchment partnerships.

ABOUT

The Catchment-Based Approach website is designed to showcase the work of catchment partnerships aross England and Wales and to encourage the sharing and adoption of best practice in stakeholder-led catchment managment planning, delivery and evaluation.Email:info@catchmentbasedapproach.org